which he resigned. During his pastorate he has baptized 1,890 persons. On one occasion he baptized 164 persons in one hour. While here, his church has built two meeting houses, the two costing about $40,000. He was Recording Secretary of the Virginia Baptist State Convention for twenty-five years; Secretary of the Virginia Baptist State Sunday School Convention for twenty-seven years; once Moderator of the Shiloh Association of Virginia; for fifteen or more years Chairman of the Executive Board of the Foreign Mission Convention, and now holds the position of Chairman of the Executive Board of the General Association of Virginia, and also the same office in the Lott-Carey Foreign Mission Convention. He is also Treasurer of General Association of Virginia and Vice-President of the Executive Board of the Virginia Union University, and once its Secretary. He was the first colored Baptist preacher in the State of Virginia who received the honorary degree of D.D. This mark of appreciation was shown by the Shaw University of North Carolina. He has been employed as correspondent for several papers, and has written and published a book of sermons of 324 pages, besides several smaller books.

Home Missions in Porto Rico.

BY E. B. PALMER, D.D.

It was

It was my privilege recently to visit Porto Rico through the kindness of a personal friend. Aside from interest in the Island itself, and the securing of a little rest, the chief object was to acquaint myself with our mission work. This radiates from the two chief cities of the Island, San Juan on the north, and Ponce on the south necessary, in order to avail myself of the best understanding of the situation, to spend the first Sunday in Ponce. Accordingly, on Friday, the day after arriving, in company with two others, I started on the ever memorable ride over the national road, built years since by the Spaniards. There are many points of interest which we must reserve for another time. Reaching Ponce on Saturday evening I soon found myself in the hospitable home of our missionary, Rev. A. B. Rudd. If the visit gave anything like the pleasure to our faithful workers here and at San Juan that it gave to me, it was a benediction indeed. I was surprised at what had been accomplished in the short time since our missions were opened. On the south side, we have a church at Ponce and at the Playa or Port, two miles away, and also at Adjuntas, with

an out-station at Yauco, and occasional preaching at Juana Diaz. The Sunday services were a great object lesson. It was to the eye, however, rather than to the ear, except in music, as the services were all in Spanish. At the Sunday school, in the morning, I found Mrs. Duggan, with over eighty children in a small room about twelve feet square. How they could all be put into so small a space was a wonder. Some remained standing through the session. It was not difficult to find the cause, for Mrs. Duggan has rare fitness for service. She has great heart-power as well as large mental equipments for her work. Mr. Rudd and Mr. Teller both had large classes. The latter is a great help to the mission, for notwithstanding the fact that he is chief of the police in the city, his heart is in all that concerns the welfare of the cause. Mrs. Duggan and I go to the Playa for the Sunday-school in the afternoon, and Mr. Rudd mounts his Porto Rican pony and goes up to a preaching service twelve miles in the mountains. In the evening, the place of meeting is filled to its utmost capacity, many standing through the entire service. There is preaching, communion and two addresses through an interpreter. Tuesday takes us by rail along the coast twenty miles to Yauco for an evening meeting. Part of the way is desolate, except for the sea, and part abounds with palms, tropical foliage and large sugar plantations. Yauco has considerable wealth. Its people are of Corsican descent. It is of historic interest to us as the place where General Miles first encamped after landing at Guanica. Wednesday afternoon we go up to Adjuntas, twenty miles into the heart of the mountain. This is a town of about two thousand people, on the road now being constructed from Areceibo on the north coast, through Utuado, on to Ponce, which, when finished, will be the shortest route across the island. This town is sure to be one of increasing importance. It has an elevation of over 1,500 feet; is cool in summer and surrounded by productive country. The place of meeting here is on one side of the town and undesirable. With a good church-building at this point there would be a large ingathering of people, for the conditions are ripe for it. A most desirable lot can now be obtained and a suitable building erected for about $10,000. I trust that some readers of the MONTHLY will be prompted to make generous gifts for this purpose. Here, as elsewhere, the eagerness of the people to hear and understand the word of God leaves an impression never to be

effaced. Many a countenance is radiant with the joy of a new found life in Christ.

I found Mr. Rudd not a little concerned as to the future of the work in Ponce; he had been notified that the entire building where services were being held had been rented to another party. The change involved much, and not the least consideration was the increase of rent. Would the Society be willing, in its present financial straits, to pay more than double the former rental? One thing was clear, however, that the work could not stop; some place must be found, and that, too, better for the purpose. God's hand was in it. After looking at a number of possibilities we came upon a large warehouse that could be put into good condition and would be ample for present needs. We further found, three squares from this, a most desirable lot for a church-building, right in the center of the city, ample in size and desirable from every point of view. We were both thankful that disappointment had come in the earlier plans to secure a location. I was rejoiced to hear on reaching home that money had been secured to make the purchase and erect the church. How much this building means to the cause of Christ cannot be expressed.

ON NORTH SIDE.

On the north side of the Island, the work is more difficult. San Juan is the head-center of Roman influence. Here are several large churches, and the forces that oppose Protestant effort are concentrated. Still there is a larger number of Protestant bodies at work here than elsewhere. The Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Methodists, Lutherans and Baptists, all have missions, although I was able only to visit our own. The place of meeting, while probably the best that can be secured at present, is lighted only from the street, and is liable to disturbance by the constant use of an open hallway through which it is entered. The Sunday-school was an interesting object lesson. The spirit of inquiry and freedom of expression was especially noticeable. Every one seemed to be intent upon Mr. McCormick's exposition, while Miss Hayes, in one end of the room held the attention of a large class of little folks.

A NEW WORLD.

The Bible opens a new world to these people. Its teaching has an absorbing delight for them. This was manifest both in the Sunday-school and church services. The church at Rio Piedras seemed to me to evince a higher intelligence and better social con

ditions than I met elsewhere. On Sunday evening, January 20, Mr. McCormick insisted on my preaching, he of course, interpreting. I had made several brief addresses, and notwithstanding the difficulty of keeping up a connected line of thought in broken sentences, there was one at least who enjoyed the service. At the close of the meeting there came a surprise. The Sunday-school Superintendent, a native Porto Rican, came forward and made an address, which for ease of expression and loftiness of sentiment, was highly gratifying. After expressing the great satisfaction that the church had had in the visit of the stranger from the North, he assured me that their prayers would follow me on my homeward journey; that they were deeply grateful to the Christians of the North for sending to them faithful missionaries who had given them the light; that the hope of the Island was not in commerce, or education, or science, however desirable they might be, but in the teaching of the Word of God; that I must ask the brethren of the North to pray for them, and assure them that they would pray for us. Then there came forward a young man about thirty years of age, presenting himself for membership. His experience was deeply interesting. He had been a believer for about two years, but he had been in debt. He determined that he would not join the church until he had paid every dollar he owed. While his testimony was clear and intelligent, his emotions when he sat down quite overcame him. It was touching to see the brethren and sisters come forward and welcome him to their fellowship. The work on this side of the Island covers many interesting points. A church at San Juan, at Rio Piedras, with an out-station at Trujillo Alto, at Carolina, eighteen miles distant, with two out-stations, one at Loiza on the coast, and one at Rio Grande, and a church at Caguas, with an out-station at Aguas Buenas. Thus there are four churches and four out-stations. Mr. McCormick also writes me since my return that he has baptized a priest who gives every evidence of genuine conversion and has appointed him to begin work at Barcelonita, not far from Areceibo, under his personal care.

The Baptist people of the North are greatly favored in the workers on the field. Mr. McCormick and Mr. Rudd, with their wives. and Mrs. Duggan and Miss Hayes, are all persons of long experience in Mexico with Spanish-speaking people, and in every way thoroughtly qualified to meet the demands of the situation. There is special cause of

Our missionary work in Porto Rico needs not only to be intensified, but to be extended over the rich virgin fields beyond. This is imperative if we are to bear a worthy part in the evangelization of a people whom God has singularly prepared for the reception of His truth.

Porto Rico is a most fruitful missionary field. Our small force began work there barely two years ago. Over two hundred new believers have been baptized and formed into the churches in San Juan, Ponce, Rio Piedras, Caguas, and Adjuntas. Sowing has been followed by perennial and abundant reaping. The appeals to open new fields are urgent and multiplying. Other denominations are hastening men to the front and fortifying the work in places already qccupied. Baptists should preserve the front rank which they have held from the first. God has blessed us in a signal way, but we must lose our relative position unless new men, to be liberally sustained for at least five years, be quickly located in some of the important strategic points still open to us.

There is every reason to expect greater blessings in the future than in the past. The work is on a solid basis. Prudence has tempered zeal, and exceeding care has been exercised in the reception of members. These are fast growing in intelligence, and evangelistic zeal. They have a mind to work; are giving more and more liberally for the support of their insular missions; and many of them are preaching with effectiveness. They are determined to win Porto Rico for the truth in Christ Jesus. Already there are Porto Rican bishops and evangelists in some of our pulpits, and superintendents and teachers in our Sunday-schools. The churches are winning favor with the people, and priestly calumnies are wilting under the ministry of grace. With returning prosperity we may expect these new churches to relieve

us of burdens which as yet they cannot possibly bear.

The present is a critical season in Porto Rico, and American Baptists were wise to press this work with all the energy and dispatch in their power. Bro. Rudd and I have stretched our lines to the danger-point, and yet not more than ten per cent. of the population live in the districts occupied by us. The densely populated East and West ends of the Island have no representative of our New Testament churches. Dozens of towns, ideally located for work, invite us to visit them and establish churches. If we do not accept, others will.

MORE MISSIONARIES NEEDED.

At least three American missionaries should immediately occupy these needy districts. They should be broad-minded men, appreciative of the many-sided ministries demanded of a twentieth century Baptist missionary. Americans are needed to build the model, mother congregations, and to project the church activities along the broadest and sanest lines. As yet, the Porto Rican brethren lack training, and the organizing faculty. But we believe that within five or ten years, they will be quite able to man the posts which, from nature of the case, Americans must now fill. The next five years will be years full of fate for the future of our work here, and an extra effort now will save much hard pulling later on.

In the meantime we must cultivate the fields already planted. The Society has just ordered the purchase of property, and intends soon to build a church house for the Ponce congregation, already numbering over three hundred people. In San Juan, Adjuntas, Caguas and Carolina we are meeting homes where the assembling saints may gather. These may be built for small sums and are greatly needed. The famous John Leland, in the days of Episcopal absolutism in Virginia, was busily digging a baptizing pool. "What is that for?" he was asked. "To baptize people in," was his reply. “But there are no Baptists about here!" "No, but I'm digging this pool for the Baptists that are going to be about here." That was an act of faith splendidly rewarded in his case. Here, in Porto Rico, we need today houses for the Baptist congregations that are, and not for those that are to be. What American church will honor God and itself by building a chapel in one of these cities? Fuller information gladly given to those interested.

This work should appeal to every senti

ment of philanthrophy, charity and patriotism, for each and all of these will find the best practical application of its principals in the warm-hearted presentation of the Gospel of Christ. Better than any social settlement-practical and applied altruism, at its best, are these little churches, arousing as they do, deadened consciences, teaching a people morals, and putting new and divine thoughts in their heads, hope in their hearts, and songs on their lips. They are the best schools for old and young; and in them the masses get the so-much-needed uplift, the training that alone fits them for full American citizenship. "Now I have something worth living for." "How beautiful, how beautiful it all is." "My burdens don't seem to be burdens any longer." Such testimonies as these are continually coming from the lips of young and old. Some day, we shall have orphanages and colleges, now we need preachers and houses where the people may gather to hear them in.

Could God's people at home know the blessings they have sent to Porto Rico in sending the gospel, they would surely hasten to double and treble their beneficent efforts for a people so needy, so receptive, and so grateful.

Reasons Why Our Work in Porto Rico should Be Enlarged and Intensified.

BY REV. A. B. RUDD.

I cannot hope to make the readers of the MONTHLY see and feel this matter just as the laborers on this field do; and yet I trust the following considerations may lead them to realize to some extent the need of immediate enlargement.

The Baptists were among the very first to come and promise these people the truth.

In the fall of 1898, Rev. W. H. Sloan, of Mexico City, made a trip through this island. His impressions were given to the public through the press, and the Society urged to open work here at once. Two years ago, early in February, 1899, organized work was begun by Rev. H. P. McCormick. A work begun so early after the opening of the doors to the Gospel, surely demands that it be prosecuted with an ever increasing enthusiasm. Let us keep our promise. May the future Baptist historian be able to say of the Baptist mission work on the island, "Early begun, and well done!"

Again, we represent as Baptists the point farthest removed from sacerdotalism, of which the Porto Ricans are tired. From Rome to

Baptist truth is a long journey, though it is well lighted by the lamps of logic. (An expriest, with Bible in hand, has recently made the trip, and on January 29th was baptized by Mr. McCormick into the fellowship of the San Juan Baptist church.) The views for which we stand are well worth pushing into every nook and corner of this fair island. Let us be true to our trust and to the principles for which we stand!

Then, too, the vast extent of territory as yet untouched by the Gospel, demands an enlargement of our work. Juana Diaz, Coamo, Aibonito, Santa Isabel, Salinas and Guayanilla, all towns of considerable importance, centers of densely populated country districts, all within easy reach of Ponce, and all without the Gospel! The same is true of dozens of towns on the northern side of the island. I feel it to be a reproach to us that this should be true. Alas that our Secretary should be forced, from scarcity of funds, to send at the opening of the century the following gloomy advice to the field for the present year: "I would not establish any new preaching stations which involve additional money!"

Let us say, by way of encouragement to the givers to missions, that God's blessing upon our work in the past, should lead us to a great enlargement in the immediate future. I am loath to parade results before the public; it savors of the "counting fever." With profound gratitude to God, I may say that six churches, with a combined membership of two hundred and forty-three, represent in part the results of the labors of the Baptist workers on the Island. We could wish the results had been greater; we are profoundly grateful, however, for them as they are, and humbly pray that a simple statement of the facts may inspire the readers of the MONTHLY to say to the Society, "Enlarge; past results justify it."

Open doors, open hearts, open eyes, open ears, bid us push the work. The field is white. A great opportunity is before us. Brethren of other denominations are seeing and using it. Will you close your eyes and let it pass!

Give us, beloved of the Lord, houses of worship, to intensify the work already established, and more workers that we may enlarge our field of operations.

A poor woman in a remote mountain town, who was hearing for the first time the simple story of the Gospel, said: "If we only had some one to teach us these things!" Her words touched my heart and for eighteen

months have been haunting me. Her wish has not yet been realized. Her town, along with dozens of others, is still saying "If we only had some one to teach us these things!"

Work in Cuba.

BY H. R. MOSELEY, D.D.,

The future of Cuba is unalterably bound up with that of the United States. We have made ourselves responsible in the eyes of the world for her political destiny and the Christian people of America, whether they would or not, are responsible in the eyes of God, for the spiritual destiny of the Cubans. No earnest servant of the Master's will deny this solemn obligation of American Christians to this needy people who here suffered not only from the tyranny and oppression of Spain, but also and equally from the blighting effects of four centuries of Romish domination and oppression.

Cuba is awaking to-day from the effects of misrule, and her people look to the future with hope and cheer, they are casting off the fetters of ignorance and superstition, old things are passing away and they are receptive to new ideas. It is the day of opportunity for a pure Christianity to plant itself firmly in the island.

No such opportunity has been given to Northern Baptists as is open to them in Cuba. This people has been alienated from the Romish church by its partisan and constant support of Spain during their long struggle for liberty. The Cubans will not soon forget the fact that the bells of Catholic churches pealed out a great anthem of joy when the news of Maceo's death reached Santiago. It is said that the Cubans are Catholics; they are in name only. The masses of the people have no love for Rome, and gladly hear the preached word. Threats of excommunication and anathemas no longer terrify this people, nor prevent their attendance at our services. There are many towns in Cuba, with population ranging from five hundred to five thousand which have been abandoned by the Romish church, and where no religious teaching is giyen to the people. There are, in easy reach of Santiago, four or five of such towns-San Luiz, Boniato, Cuabitos, Caney, San Vicente, Dos Bocas. We are reaching out to these places, and wherever we go, we meet with a cordial welcome.

Cuba is being filled up rapidly with Americans. In the northern part of the provinces of Puerto Principe and Santiago, large tracts

of land have been bought and American colonies are being founded. Cuba has entered upon an unrivaled period of material development. Railroads are being projected and built.

Sanitary conditions are being improved. Roads are building, and the people are coming in great numbers from every part of the world. If we are to keep pace with this rapid material development, we must at once enlarge and intensify our work in Eastern Cuba.

The blessing of God upon our work in Eastern Cuba calls for its reinforcement and enlargement. The success of the work is an embarrassment for us. New doors are being opened for us on every side. God gives his blessing, but there is a limit to the possibilities of four missionaries. We cannot extend our work unless we are reinforced. It makes me sick at heart when I have to refuse to accept an, invitation to go and preach the Gospel to a town, where it has never been preached. There is work in Santiago and vicinity for three men. We now have seven successful Sunday-schools in Santiago and suburbs. We could have twenty, if we had workers to organize and run them. Four hundred children are receiving Bible instruction in our Sunday-schools every Sunday. What is being done in Santiago. can be done in Puerto Principe and other cities, if we had workers and equipment. Now is the time to intensify and enlarge our work. To-day is the day of opportunity. Rome is alert and at work to win back to her fold this people who have been alienated, and she will succeed, if Protestant America is blind to this matchless opportunity that God in His providence has given her.

Cuba needs to-day capital to develop her unlimited natural wealth. She needs a stable government that will guarantee life and property. She needs good schools, good roads, etc., but she needs, above all else, the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ, the regenerating and elevating influence of the Christian religion. You have that Gospel. Your obligation, the need of Cuba, the matchless opportunity, the wonderful blessing upon the work already undertaken, all plead eloquently for immediate enlargement and strengthening of the work of the American Baptist Home Mission Society in Eastern Cuba.

Will not Northern Baptists heed this earnest plea of your servant-would God that I had power to make it stronger. We need, oh so urgently, two strong men for the North coast, and houses of worship at Manzanillo